Self-aligned junction passivation for superconductor integrated circuit

ABSTRACT

A superconductor integrated circuit ( 1 ) includes an anodization ring ( 35 ) disposed around a perimeter of a tunnel junction region ( 27 ) for preventing a short-circuit between an outside contact ( 41 ) and the base electrode layer ( 18 ). The tunnel junction region ( 27 ) includes a junction contact ( 31 ) with a diameter of approximately 1.00 μm or less defined by a top surface of the counter electrode layer ( 24 ). The base electrode layer ( 18 ) includes an electrode isolation region ( 36 ) disposed approximately 0.8 μm in horizontal distance from the junction contact ( 31 ) for providing device isolation.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/364,981, filed on Feb. 12, 2003, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to superconductor integratedcircuits and, more particularly, to a superconductor integrated circuitwith a reduced Josephson junction diameter and a fabrication methodthereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The diameter of a Josephson junction (junction) in a superconductorintegrated circuit (IC) should be the smallest definable feature inorder to obtain maximum circuit performance. This diameter should belimited by only the resolution of the lithography tool and the etchtool. However, the diameter of the junction in a conventionalsuperconductor IC is limited by the diameter (or surface area) of itscontact. More specifically, in a conventional superconductor IC, thejunction diameter must be greater than the diameter of its contact inorder to prevent an unwanted short circuit between wire layers. As aresult, the minimum junction diameter is determined by the minimumcontact diameter plus approximately two times the alignment tolerancefrom the lithography tool.

For example, the minimum junction diameter in a conventionalsuperconductor IC must be approximately 50% larger than the contactdiameter for high yield in accordance with alignment tolerances ofexisting lithography tools. As a result, a 1.5 μm diameter junctionrequires a contact diameter of no greater than 1.0 μm to permit analignment error of +/−0.25 μm. However, even if the alignment toleranceswere significantly improved, the junction diameter would still have tobe greater than the contact diameter. This is because a junction contactthat is larger in diameter than the junction diameter in a conventionalsuperconductor IC can result in unwanted short circuits between wirelayers.

If the relationship between the junction diameter and the contactdiameter were significantly decoupled, the junction diameter wouldbecome the minimum size feature. The junction diameter would then bereduced to 1.0 μm or smaller in accordance with generally accepteddesign rules. This would lead to an increase in the current density ofthe critical current by a factor of 2.25. Because the circuit speedscales with the square root of the current density, the circuit speedwould be increased by approximately 50%.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide asuperconductor IC fabrication method for producing a superconductor ICwith a minimum size diameter junction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a superconductorIC fabrication method requiring limited additional fabrication.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a superconductorIC device that prevents unwanted short circuits between wiring layers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a method of fabricating asuperconductor IC from a trilayer includes etching the counter electrodelayer for forming a tunnel junction region and for exposing a portion ofthe tunnel barrier layer. The tunnel junction region includes anunetched portion of the counter electrode layer, an unexposed portion ofthe tunnel barrier layer and an upper portion of the base electrodefacing an inner periphery surface of the unexposed portion of the tunnelbarrier layer. Next, the exposed portion of the tunnel barrier layer,sidewall portions of the tunnel junction region and a portion of thebase electrode are anodized for forming an anodized tunnel barrier, ananodized tunnel junction region, an anodized base layer and a junctioncontact (anodization layer). Finally, the anodization layer is etchedfor forming an anodization ring surrounding the tunnel junction region.The etching of the counter electrode layer and the anodizing of thetunnel barrier are both performed over a first junction mask. Theetching of the anodization layer is performed over a second junctionmask.

A superconductor integrated circuit fabricated according to the abovemethod includes a base electrode layer, a tunnel barrier layer disposedabove the base electrode layer, a counter electrode layer disposed abovethe tunnel barrier layer, and an anodization ring disposed around aperimeter of the counter electrode layer and a perimeter of the tunnelbarrier layer. The anodization ring is for preventing a short circuitbetween an outside contact and the base electrode layer. A tunneljunction region is defined by the counter electrode layer, tunnelbarrier layer and the base electrode layer. The tunnel junction regionincludes a junction contact having a diameter of approximately 1.00 μmdefined by a top surface of the counter electrode layer. The baseelectrode layer includes an electrode isolation region disposedapproximately 0.8 μm in horizontal distance from the junction contactfor providing device isolation.

The superconductor integrated circuit further includes a masked oxidelayer disposed above the base electrode layer and the anodization ringfor defining an outside contact via and a base electrode via.

Because of the anodization ring provided by the methodology of thepresent invention, the diameter of the outside contact via may begreater than the diameter of the junction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description of preferredembodiments thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section side elevation view of a trilayer depositedover an oxide layer according to a preferred methodology.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayer with afirst mask applied thereon to define a junction according to thepreferred methodology.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayer subsequentto etching over the first junction mask according to the preferredmethodology.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayer subsequentto anodizing over the first junction mask according to the preferredmethodology.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayer with asecond junction mask applied thereon according to the preferredmethodology.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayer subsequentto etching over the second junction mask according to the preferredmethodology.

FIG. 7A is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayer with athird junction mask applied thereon according to the preferredmethodology.

FIG. 7B is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayersubsequent to etching over a third junction mask according to thepreferred methodology.

FIG. 8A is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayer with anoxide layer and a fourth junction mask applied thereon according to thepreferred methodology.

FIG. 8B is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayersubsequent to etching an oxide layer deposited over the trilayer.

FIG. 9A is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayer with awire layer and a fifth junction mask applied thereon according to thepreferred methodology.

FIG. 9B is a cross-section side elevation view of the trilayersubsequent to etching a wire layer over a fifth junction according tothe preferred methodology.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of the preferred methodology for fabricatingthe superconductor shown in FIG. 9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals reference likeparts, a method of fabricating a superconductor integrated circuit (IC)will be discussed with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 10 and thevarious cross-section views of FIGS. 1–9B.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10, at 52, the trilayer 10 shown in FIG. 1 isformed. The trilayer 10 includes a counter electrode layer 12, a tunnelbarrier layer 17 and a base electrode layer 18 formed on an oxide baselayer 20. The tunnel barrier layer 17 is formed from a thin Al₂O₃ filmlayer 14 and an aluminum film layer 16. The counter electrode layer 12and the base electrode layer 18 may be formed from a refractory metal,such as, for example, niobium. However, other superconductor alloys,compounds, metals or materials that can be anodized such as, forexample, niobium nitride (NbN), may be used for the counter electrodelayer 12 and the base electrode layer 18. As those skilled in the artshould appreciate, the trilayer 10 is formed by in-situ deposition ofniobium and aluminum on the oxide base layer 20, oxidation of thealuminum and in situ deposition of more niobium. The thickness of thecounter electrode layer 12 may be, for example, 100 nm. The thickness ofthe thin Al₂O₃ film layer 14 and the layer of aluminum 16 may be, forexample, 1 nm and 7 nm, respectively. The thickness of the baseelectrode layer 18 may be, for example, 150 nm. The oxide base layer 20provides a base dielectric layer for electrically isolating the trilayer10 from lower layers of circuitry that are not shown in the drawings.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 10, at 54, the counter electrode layer ismasked by a JUNCM mask (first junction mask) 22. As those skilled in theart should appreciate, the first junction mask 22 is applied by placinga thin film of photoresist over the counter electrode layer 12 and usingphotolithography techniques to develop an image of the first junctionmask 22 on the thin film of photoresist so that only the photoresistpattern of the first junction mask 22 shown in FIGS. 2–4 remains.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 10, at 56, the counter electrode layer 12 isetched while the first junction mask 22 remains thereon. The etching maybe done by, for example, reactive ion etching with SF₆. As shown in FIG.3, the entire counter electrode layer 12 is etched away except for aportion of the counter electrode layer disposed below the first junctionmask 22. The remaining counter electrode portion will be referred to asthe unetched counter electrode portion 24. The reactive ion etching willstop at the tunnel barrier layer 17 because SF₆ does not substantiallyetch aluminum or aluminum compounds. Because of the etching of thecounter electrode layer 12, the entire tunnel barrier 17 except for aportion disposed below the unetched counter electrode portion 24 isexposed. The unetched counter electrode portion 24, unexposed portion 26of the tunnel barrier layer 17 and an upper portion of the baseelectrode facing an inner periphery surface of the unexposed portion 26will be referred to as the tunnel junction region 27 (see FIG. 4).

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 10, at 58, the exposed portion of the tunnelbarrier layer 17 and sidewall portions of the unetched counter electrodeportion 24 are anodized to a predetermined voltage. Anodization isperformed using the first junction mask 22 to mask a top surface of theunetched counter electrode portion 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the anodizingconverts the niobium of the unetched counter electrode portion 24 to andNb₂O₅ electrode (anodized counter electrode) 28 and the tunnel barrierlayer 17 to an Al₂O₃ barrier (anodized tunnel barrier) 30. Theanodization will continue through the tunnel barrier layer 17 into theunderlying niobium base electrode layer 18. A portion of the niobiumbase electrode layer 18 will also be anodized and converted to an Nb₂O₅layer (anodized base electrode) 32. The amount of the niobium baseelectrode layer 18 that is anodized will depend upon the predeterminedvoltage used during anodization. Preferably, the predetermined voltagewill be in the range of 15 to 30 volts for forming an anodization layerof Al₂O₃/Nb₂O₅ having a thickness of approximately 40 nm. The anodizedcounter electrode 28, anodized tunnel barrier 30 and anodized baseelectrode 32 together will be referred to as an anodization layer 33(see FIG. 4). A top surface of the tunnel junction region 27 will definea junction contact 31. After the anodizing, the junction contact 31 willhave a diameter of 1.0 μm or less in accordance with generally accepteddesign rules.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 10, at 60, an anodization ring 35 is formedfrom the anodization layer 33. Initially, the first junction mask 22 isremoved by conventional photoresist removal techniques. For example, aliquid or dry resist stripper may be used to remove the first junctionmask 22. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, an anodization ring mask (secondjunction mask) 34 is applied over the anodization layer 33 and thetunnel junction region 27. The second junction mask 34 is preferablyalso a photoresist so that it can be applied by conventionalphotolithography techniques. Depending on the accuracy of thelithography tool alignment, the second junction mask 34 may beapproximately 0.5 to 0.8 μm larger than the first junction mask. To beconsistent with design rules, the second junction mask 34 must not be solarge that the anodization ring 35 resulting from the etching discussedbelow has a distance between the outer perimeter of the junction and theanodization ring edge greater than 0.8 μm.

At 62, the anodization layer 33 is subsequently etched over the secondjunction mask 34. More specifically, an outer portion of the anodizationlayer 33 not protected by the second junction mask 34 is etched down tothe base electrode layer 18 as shown in FIG. 6. The unetched portion ofthe anodization layer 33 forms the anodization ring 35 surrounding thetunnel junction region 27. The etching of the anodization layer 33 ispreferably done within a reactive ion etch tool or chamber (not shown)by a two step selective etching process. The first step removes or“breaks through” the Al₂O₃ of the anodized tunnel barrier 30 by using achlorine or CHF₃-argon based reactive ion etch. The second step etchesthe Nb₂O₅ of the anodized base electrode layer 32 down to the surface ofthe base electrode layer 18 with a reactive ion etch chemical mixturehaving a high selectivity to niobium.

An exemplary CHF₃-argon based reactive ion etch chemical mixture for thefirst step is 10 sccm CHF₃, 2 sccm O₂, 20 sccm argon. Etching with thisreactive ion etch chemical mixture will be performed within the etchchamber at a pressure of approximately 25 mTorr and at a power ofapproximately 300 W. The large content of argon assists in the removalof Al₂O₃ by sputter etching (mechanical bombardment).

An exemplary high selectivity reactive ion etch chemical mixture for thesecond step is composed of 100 sccm CHF₃ and 2 sccm O₂. Etching withthis high selectivity reactive ion etch chemical mixture is performed ata pressure of approximately 100 mTorr and at a power of approximately150 W. Use of this high selectivity reactive ion etch chemical mixturewill result in an etch rate of approximately 11 nm/s and will achieve a4:1 selectivity with respect to niobium.

Other etch chemistries may be used for performing the two step etchprocess. For example, a wet etch chemical mixture such as, for example,a dilute mixture of HF, nitric acid and deionized water may be used asthe etch chemical mixture of the first step followed by the selectivereactive ion etch for the Nb₂O₅ removal. Also, a single etch step may beused rather than the two step etch process. In this case, a single wetetch such as the HF may be used. However, wet etches may undercut thephotoresist masks, which will lead to poor control of criticaldimensions.

Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 10, at 64, the base electrode layer 18 ismasked by a TRIW mask (third junction mask) 37. This third junction mask37 exposes a portion, referred to hereinafter as an electrode isolationregion 36, of the base electrode layer 18 that will be removed byetching (See FIG. 7B). In accordance with generally accepted designrules, the distance between the outer perimeter of the junction contact31 and the edge of the electrode isolation region 36 should be no lessthan 0.8 μm for providing device isolation. At 66, the base electrodelayer 18 is subsequently etched over the third junction mask 37 toremove the base electrode and to define the electrode isolation region36.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 10, at 68, an oxide layer 38 is deposited overthe base electrode layer 18, the electrode isolation region 36 and theanodization ring 35 for forming a dielectric layer 38. The depositionmay be done by conventional oxide deposition techniques such as, forexample, sputtering. Because the oxide layer 38 fills the etchedelectrode isolation region 36, the oxide will provide device isolationbetween the tunnel junction region 27 and another device (not shown)that may be fabricated to the left of the superconductor 1 (FIG. 9B) onthe same oxide base layer 20.

At 70, the dielectric layer 38 is masked by an SIOA mask (fourth mask)39 as shown in FIG. 8A. The fourth mask 39 will expose a portion to theright of the anodization ring 35 for defining a base electrode contactvia 40 (FIG. 8B). The fourth mask 39 will also expose portions of thedielectric layer 38 disposed above the junction contact 31, the anodizedcounter electrode 28 and a portion of the anodized tunnel barrier layer30 for defining an outside contact via 41 (FIG. 8B).

At 72, the dielectric layer 38 is etched over the fourth mask 39 forforming the base electrode via 40 and the outside contact via 41 asshown in FIG. 8B. The etching may be performed by, for example, dry etch(reactive ion etch). During the etching of the dielectric layer 38, theanodized tunnel barrier 30 functions as an etch stop for protecting theanodized base electrode layer 32. This is because the dry etch will notsubstantially etch the Al₂O₃ during the etching of the dielectric layer38. Also, the diameter of the outside contact via 41 may be equal to orgreater than the diameter of the junction contact 31. This is becausethe anodization ring 35, which surrounds the tunnel junction region 27,will prevent an unwanted short circuit between an outside contact andthe base electrode layer 18.

Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10, at 74, a wire layer 42 is depositedover the dielectric layer 38 and the anodization ring 35. At 76, thewire layer 41 is masked by a WIRA mask (fifth junction mask) 48. Asshown in FIG. 9B, the fifth junction mask 48 will expose a section ofthe wire layer 42 for forming a trench 46 that will separate the wirelayer 42 into a contact wire 43 coupled to junction contact through theoutside contact via 41 and a base electrode wire 44 coupled to the baseelectrode layer 18 through the base electrode via 40. The wire layer ispreferably composed of niobium and may be deposited by sputtering.

At 78, the wire layer 41 is etched over the fifth junction mask forforming the trench 46 as shown in FIG. 9B. The etching may be performedby, for example, reactive ion etching with SF₆. Additional wire layers(not shown) may be added to the superconductor 1 according to itsintended use.

The superconductor 1 fabricated by the above method will be discussedwith reference to FIG. 9B. The superconductor 1 includes an oxide baselayer 20 for isolating the superconductor 1 from lower layers ofcircuitry (not shown), a niobium base electrode layer 18 disposed abovethe oxide base layer 20, an anodization ring 35 disposed above the baseelectrode layer 18, a tunnel junction region 27 that is surrounded bythe anodization ring 35, a dielectric layer 38 disposed above the baseelectrode layer 18 and also above a portion of the anodization ring 35,and a wire layer 42 disposed above the dielectric layer 38 and theanodization ring 35.

The base electrode layer 18 is electrically coupled to a base electrodewire layer 44 of the wire layer 42 for providing external electricalcommunication with the tunnel junction region. The base electrode layer18 is patterned to create isolated regions of base electrode 18 inconjunction with the dielectric layer 38. The dielectric in the baseelectrode isolation region 36 electrically isolates the tunnel junctionregion 27 from other devices (not shown). In accordance with thegenerally accepted design rules, the dielectric in the electrodeisolation region 36 is disposed approximately 0.8 μm in horizontaldistance from the junction contact 31 mentioned below.

The dielectric layer 38 is patterned to include a base electrode via 40in conjunction with the base electrode wire layer 18 and an outsidecontact via 41 in conjunction with the contact wire layer 43. Because aportion of the dielectric layer 38 is disposed above the base electrodelayer 18 and an outer portion of the anodization ring 35, the dielectriclayer 38 helps prevent unwanted short circuits between the contact wirelayer 42 and the base electrode layer 18.

The anodization ring 35 is composed of anodized niobium 28 (Nb₂O₅) froman etched counter electrode layer 12 (see FIG. 1), anodized aluminum(Al₂O₃) from an anodized tunnel barrier layer 30 and anodized niobium 32from an anodized portion of the base electrode layer 18. The anodizedaluminum 30 also prevents a short circuit between the contact wire 42and the base electrode layer 18.

The tunnel junction region 27 is defined by the unetched portion(unetched counter electrode portion) 24 of the counter electrode layer12, unexposed tunnel barrier layer 26 and an upper portion of the baseelectrode layer 18 disposed below and facing the inner periphery of theunexposed tunnel barrier layer 26. A junction contact 31 is also definedby a top surface of the unetched counter electrode portion 24. Thejunction contact 31 preferably has a diameter of approximately 1 μm orsmaller, which is the minimum junction contact diameter permitted bygenerally accepted design rules.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a Josephson junction isformed within the tunnel junction region 27 by the unexposed tunnelbarrier layer 26 being sandwiched between the unetched counter electrodeportion 24 and the base electrode layer 18. As shown in FIG. 6, sidewallportions of the Josephson junction are passivated by the anodizationring 35. More specifically, referring back to FIG. 9B, when current isdelivered to the Josephson junction through an outside contact that iselectrically coupled to the junction contact 31 by the contact wirelayer 43, the anodization ring 35 prevents a short circuit between thewire layer 34 and the base electrode layer 18.

The wire layer 41 includes a trench 46 for separating the wire layer 42into the contact wire layer 43 and a base electrode wire layer 44. Asmentioned above, current is delivered to the Josephson junction by thecontact wire 42. Also, a potential of the base electrode can bedetermined by the base electrode wire layer 44.

Therefore, the present invention provides a novel superconductor 1having a junction contact diameter that is the minimum size permitted bythe generally accepted design rules (approximately 1.0 μm or less) andan outside contact diameter that is equal to or greater than thejunction contact diameter. An anodization ring 35 disposed around thetunnel junction region 27 prevents an unwanted short circuit between theoutside contact 41 and the base electrode layer 18. Because the junctiondiameter is the minimum size, it leads to an increased critical currentdensity and higher circuit speed.

The superconductor 1 also has the novel feature of an electrodeisolation region 36 that is the minimum horizontal distance from thejunction contact 31 permitted by generally accepted fabrication rules(approximately 0.8 μm or smaller).

Also, the present invention provides a novel method for fabricating theabove superconductor 1. The etching of the counter electrode layer 12and the anodizing of the unetched counter electrode, tunnel barrierlayer and base electrode layer are preferably performed using the samejunctions mask, thereby simplifying the fabrication process. Also, theanodization layer is preferably etched using a two step etch process forforming the anodization ring.

While the above description is of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, it should be appreciated that the invention may bemodified, altered, or varied without deviating from the scope and fairmeaning of the following claims.

1. A superconductor integrated circuit comprising: a base electrodelayer; a tunnel barrier layer disposed above the base electrode layer,the tunnel barrier layer having a lateral surface portion; a counterelectrode layer disposed above the tunnel barrier layer; and ananodization ring disposed around a perimeter of the counter electrodelayer and a perimeter of the tunnel barrier layer for preventing ashort-circuit between an outside contact and the base electrode layer,wherein: a tunnel junction region is defined by the counter electrodelayer, the tunnel barrier layer and the base electrode layer, the tunneljunction region including a junction contact defined by a top surface ofthe counter electrode, the junction contact having a diameter ofapproximately 1.00 μm or less; and the anodization ring includes ananodized portion of the counter electrode layer, an anodized portion ofthe lateral surface portion of the tunnel barrier layer and an anodizedportion of the base electrode layer.
 2. The superconductor integratedcircuit of claim 1, wherein the base electrode includes an electrodeisolation region disposed approximately 0.8 μm or less in horizontaldistance from the junction contact for providing device isolation. 3.The superconductor integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising apatterned oxide layer disposed above the base electrode layer and theanodization ring for defining an outside contact via and a baseelectrode via, wherein a surface area of the outside contact via isgreater than a surface area of the junction contact.
 4. Thesuperconductor integrated circuit of claim 3, further comprising a wirelayer disposed above the oxide layer for providing an outside contactand a base electrode contact, wherein a surface area of the outsidecontact is greater than a surface area of the junction contact.
 5. Thesuperconductor integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the counterelectrode layer is disposed solely within the anodization ring.
 6. Thesuperconductor integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the tunnel barrierlayer is disposed solely within the anodization ring.
 7. Thesuperconductor integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein: the baseelectrode layer and the counter electrode layer are comprised ofniobium; the tunnel barrier layer is comprised of a layer of aluminumand a layer of Al₂O₃ disposed above the layer of aluminum; and theanodization ring is comprised of Al₂O₃ and Nb₂O₅.
 8. The superconductorintegrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the anodized portion of thecounter electrode layer extends upwardly around the perimeter of thecounter electrode layer from the anodized portion of the tunnel barrierlayer and the anodized portion of the base electrode layer, anassociated diameter of the anodized portion of the counter electrodelayer being less than an associated diameter of the anodized portion ofthe tunnel barrier layer and the anodized portion of the base electrodelayer.
 9. A superconductor integrated circuit comprising: a baseelectrode layer; a tunnel barrier layer disposed above the baseelectrode layer; a counter electrode portion disposed above an unexposedportion of the tunnel barrier layer; and an anodization ring disposedaround a perimeter of the counter electrode portion and around theunexposed portion of the tunnel barrier layer for preventing ashort-circuit between an outside contact and the base electrode layer,the anodization ring including an anodized portion of the tunnel barrierlayer anodized from an exposed portion of the tunnel barrier layer;wherein: a tunnel junction region is defined by the counter electrodelayer, the unexposed portion of the tunnel barrier layer and the baseelectrode layer, the tunnel junction region including a junction contactdefined by a top surface of the counter electrode, the junction contacthaving a diameter of approximately 1.00 μm or less; and the anodizationring further includes an anodized portion of the counter electrode layerand an anodized portion of the base electrode layer, the anodizedportion of the counter electrode layer extending upwardly around theperimeter of the counter electrode layer from the anodized portion ofthe tunnel barrier layer and the anodized portion of the base electrodelayer, an associated diameter of the anodized portion of the counterelectrode layer being less than an associated diameter of the anodizedportion of the tunnel barrier layer and the anodized portion of the baseelectrode layer.
 10. A superconductor integrated circuit comprising: abase electrode layer; a tunnel barrier layer disposed above the baseelectrode layer; a counter electrode portion disposed above an unexposedportion of the tunnel barrier layer; and an anodization layer formedfrom at least a portion of the base electrode layer and an exposedlateral surface portion of the tunnel barrier layer and an anodizationring disposed laterally around a perimeter of the counter electrodeportion and around the unexposed portion of the tunnel barrier layer forpreventing a short-circuit between an outside contact and the baseelectrode layer, wherein: a tunnel junction region is defined by thecounter electrode layer, the unexposed portion of the tunnel barrierlayer and the base electrode layer, the tunnel junction region includinga junction contact defined by a top surface of the counter electrode,the junction contact having a diameter of approximately 1.00 μm or less;and the anodized portion of the counter electrode layer extends upwardlyaround the perimeter of the counter electrode layer from the anodizedportion of the tunnel barrier layer and the anodized portion of the baseelectrode layer, an associated diameter of the anodized portion of thecounter electrode layer being less than an associated diameter of theanodized portion of the tunnel barrier layer and the anodized portion ofthe base electrode layer.
 11. A superconductor integrated circuitcomprising: a base electrode layer; a tunnel barrier layer disposedabove the base electrode layer; a counter electrode layer disposed abovethe tunnel barrier layer; and an anodization ring disposed around aperimeter of the counter electrode layer and a perimeter of the tunnelbarrier layer for preventing a short-circuit between an outside contactand the base electrode layer, wherein: a tunnel junction region isdefined by the counter electrode layer, the tunnel barrier layer and thebase electrode layer, the tunnel junction region including a junctioncontact defined by a top surface of the counter electrode, the junctioncontact having a diameter of approximately 1.00 μm or less; theanodization ring includes an anodized portion of the counter electrodelayer, an anodized portion of the tunnel barrier layer and an anodizedportion of the base electrode layer; and the anodized portion of thecounter electrode layer extends upwardly around the perimeter of thecounter electrode layer from the anodized portion of the tunnel barrierlayer and the anodized portion of the base electrode layer, anassociated diameter of the anodized portion of the counter electrodelayer being less than an associated diameter of the anodized portion ofthe tunnel barrier layer and the anodized portion of the base electrodelayer.